Plainridge slots parlor back on track with Penn National Gaming as operating partner

After failing to pass the first round of the slot parlor application process during the summer, Plainridge Racecourse is now back on track after getting Penn National Gaming to be its operating partner.

After failing to pass the first round of the slot parlor application process during the summer, Plainridge Racecourse is now back on track after getting Penn National Gaming to be its operating partner.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission issued a positive determination of suitability on Thursday for Penn National as candidate to hold the state’s sole slot parlor application. The acceptance of the Phase 1 application means that Plainridge joins Raynham Park among the three contenders for the slot license.

“As a result of the comprehensive background investigation, a lengthy adjudicatory proceeding and an intensive deliberation conducted by the five- member gaming commission, the Commission finds by a unanimous vote that Applicant, Penn National, has met its burden of proof and accordingly is issued a positive determination of suitability,” the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said in its finding.

Penn National and the owners of Plainridge reached an agreement for the former to buy the Plainville racetrack if it wins the slot license.

Previously, the owners of Plainridge were shot down during the Phase 1 application process. On Aug. 5, the Gaming Commission made a determination that the Plainridge owners were not suitable, detailing in its findings about how former track president Gary Piontkowski had allegedly taken more than $1 million from the Plainridge money room over several years in unauthorized cash advances.

Penn National had its own plans for Tewksbury, but residents of the town rejected a community host agreement in August.

Penn, which operates 26 gambling facilities in 18 states, then quickly teamed up with Plainridge

Penn and Plainridge are now vying against Raynham Park, a frontrunner for the license, which hopes to transform the former dog track on Route 138 in Raynham into a $220 million slot casino. Raynham Park has teamed up with Greenwood Racing, which is also based in Pennsylvania and owns a casino in Bensalem, Penn.

In Plainville, 76 percent of voters approved of a Penn slot casino on Sept. 10, with 37 percent of registered voters participating. In Raynham, voters overwhelmingly approved a host community agreement on Aug. 13, with 86.5 percent voting yes, with 21.5 percent turnout.

A third applicant, Cordish, received approval from Leominster voters on Sept. 3.

Friday, Oct. 4, is the deadline for Phase 2 applications, the final phase of the license awarding process. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission anticipates awarding the state’s only slot license by December.

The slot parlor license has a limit of 1,250 slot machines, and there can be no table games at the establishment.